Kobe Bryant crashed near Los Angeles on the morning of January 26th. The helicopter accident took the lives of eight more people, including Gianna Maria, the 13-year-old daughter of the legendary Los Angeles Lakers basketball player.
41-year-old Kobe Bryant was one of the greatest athletes in history. He was the NBA champion five times and won the Olympic gold twice and was even recognized as the “Most Valuable NBA Player” in 2009 and 2010. During his career, Kobe scored 33,643 points, ranking fourth in the list of the most successful players in history.
This tragedy leaves no one indifferent. Fans, fellow athletes, celebs of all calibers, and even politicians around the world are expressing their sincere regrets.
People like Alicia Keys, Shaquille O’Neal, Barack Obama, Ellen DeGeneres, David Beckham, and thousands of other heart-broken fans took to Twitter and Instagram to let the world know what a tragedy it is.
Entire cities around the world are paying tribute to Kobe in their own unique way.
People at Los Angeles City Hall turned the entire building into purple and gold colors.
Lights for a legend.
Los Angeles City Hall lit in purple and gold starting at 8:24 p.m. this evening in honor of Kobe Bryant’s storied championship career and in memory of Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and all who perished in today’s tragedy. pic.twitter.com/1una7Aj98Z— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) January 27, 2020
LAX also paid tribute to the legendary Black Mamba by lighting up in purple and gold.
Tonight, LAX’s pylons will be lit in purple and gold in memory of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and all those who were with them in today’s unthinkable accident. Kobe was in many ways a symbol of Los Angeles and we join his family, fans and city in mourning all who were lost today. pic.twitter.com/HGX5AaSDBG— LAX Airport (@flyLAXairport) January 27, 2020
The Madison Square Garden.
Mamba Forever 🖤 Rest In Peace, Kobe. pic.twitter.com/bgNR2SrUk9— MSG (@TheGarden) January 27, 2020
The United Center.
Our thoughts are with the Bryant family and the NBA community as we all mourn the loss of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and all individuals lost in today's tragic accident. Mamba was a legend in the game and in life. He will forever be missed. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FtrE3SIJ0F— United Center (@UnitedCenter) January 27, 2020
The Mercedes Benz Stadium.
A father. A husband. A legend.
His time was too brief, but his legacy everlasting. RIP Kobe.
Sending love to the Bryant family and all those affected by today’s heartbreaking news. pic.twitter.com/xLnPPq551T— Mercedes-Benz Stadium (@MBStadium) January 27, 2020
A make-shift in New York.
New York paying tribute to the 🐍 #RIPMamba (via Billy Becerra) pic.twitter.com/QZlGYnCGXH— SNY (@SNYtv) January 27, 2020
Even the Philippines loved Kobe. (Uptown Mall in Taguig City)
It’s safe to say that people are mourning for different reasons. To some he was a friend, others saw him as an idol, but to his wife Vanessa Lane and three other daughters – Bianca Bella, Natalia Diment, and one-year-old Capri, Kobe Bryant was the whole world.
RIP, Black Mamba.